WILLIAM P. COWANS, was born August 17, 1854, near Little Washington, Penn. His father and mother, John and Jane (Mann) Cowans, were natives of Ireland and Scotland, respectively. John Cowans was a shepherd in his native land, he died in 1863; the mother is still living. They first moved to Bethany, W. Va. and afterward to Little Washington, subsequently they took up their residence in Bloomington, Ill., where they lived for eight years. He enlisted in the Union army during the late war, and served two years and a half, coming home at the end of this period, he died soon after. The mother and children returned to Bethany soon after his death. The five children that were born to these parents are: Mary (Wells), Walter, Anna (Mercer), Maggie (Fowler), and William P. After the family's return to West Virginia, William went to live with John Marshall, who resided in the vicinity of Wheeling. After remaining with him for one year, Mr. Cowans moved to West Middletown, Penn. He afterward came to Bethany and worked for William K. Pendleton for two years. He then attended school for about four months, after which he worked on a farm for a year, and for five years drove a hack to Wellsburg. Mr. Cowans spent three months in Laplatte, Neb., and after his return entered the livery business which he conducted for one year. After clerking for George Curtis for a few months he again embarked in the livery business and is now engaged in that occupation, doing an extensive business. August 21, 1889 he married Mary E. Brown of Bethany. She was born in 1854. Mrs. Cowans is a member of the I. O. O. F. and is a firm believer in the principles of the republican party. They are both very highly respected in the community in which they live and by all with whom they come in contact.